FSL
Solutions, Inc.
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SPOTING & REPORTING SCAM. Don't Pay for Help to Find Money for College Try These Free Sources of Information Don't Pay for the FAFSASM
Don't Pay for the FAFSASM Several websites offer help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a fee. These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites for assistance that you can get for free elsewhere. The official FAFSA is at www.fafsa.gov,and you can get free help from · the financial aid office at your college
or the college(s) you're thinking about attending; · the
FA F S A ' s o n l i n e h e l p a t www.fafsa.gov; and
· the
Federal Student Aid Information Center.
If you are asked for your credit card information while filling out the FAFSA online, you are not at the official government site. Remember, the FAFSA site address has .gov in it!
Save Your Identity How Does Identity Theft Happen? Criminals access personal data such as names, Social Security numbers, and bank and credit card information. Using the stolen data, the criminal can illegally obtain credit cards, set up cellphone accounts, and more.
Reduce Your Risk When Applying for Aid · Apply for federal student aid by filling
out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov. · After
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completing the FAFSA online,
exit the application and close the browser; any cookies created during your session will be deleted automatically. · Don't
tell anyone your Federal Student Aid PIN, even if that person is helping you fill out the FAFSA.
· Review
your financial aid award documents and keep track of the amounts you applied for and received.
· Never
give personal information over the phone or Internet unless you made the contact. If you have questions about an offer of aid or about your student loan account, ask your college or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center.
· We securely store your information on
the National Student Loan Data System. However, if you complete or even request a student loan application from a lender, you may be granting the lender permission to access your file. Before providing personal information to an organization, review its privacy policy. · Keep
receipts and documents (for example, credit applications or offers, checks and bank statements) with personal information in a safe place, and shred them when you are finished with them.
· Keep
your purse or wallet safe at all times; store it and other items containing personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates.
· Immediately
report all lost or stolen identification to the issuer (the credit card company or your state's
Department of Motor Vehicles) and to the police, if appropriate. Report Financial Aid Fraud Report Fraudulent Activity by a College Report Identity Theft If you suspect that your student information has been stolen, it is important to act quickly. These offices will help you determine what steps to take depending on your situation: · U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Hotline · Federal Trade Commission · Social Security Administration · Equifax Credit Bureau · Experian Information Solutions · TransUnion Credit Bureau · A company charging for financial aid advice is not committing fraud unless it doesn't deliver what it promises.For more information about financial aid fraud or to report fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission.
Glossary 1.
Federal Student Aid Programs The programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that provide grants, loans and work-study funds from the federal government to eligible students enrolled in college or ca...
2.
Grant
3. Financial aid, often based on financial need, that does not need to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). 4.
Scholarship Money awarded to students based on academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses. Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid.
Headquarters
5 Federal Student Loan
Ly n d o n B a i n e s J o h n s o n ( L B J ) Department of Education Building 400 Maryland Ave, SW Washington, DC 20202
6. Federal loans are borrowed funds that you must repay with interest. A federal student loan allows students and their parents to borrow money to help pay for college through loan programs supported by the federal government. They have low interest rates and offer flexible repayment terms, benefits, and options.
www2.ed.gov For general inquiries, and questions about the Department (ED) or education policy · 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-8725327) Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-433-3243) Defaulted Loans 1-800-621-3115 Loan Consolidation 1-800-557-7392
7. Private Student Loan 8. A private student loan is a nonfederal loan issued by a lender such as a bank or credit union. If you're not sure whether you're being offered a private loan or a federal loan, check with the financial aid office at your school. 9. Financial Aid Office
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